Self-inking stamp



May 4 19357 L. MELIND SELF INKING STAMP Filed April 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 zu@ Mdm@ @y i am 75m" WMI/@ L. MELIND SELF` INKING STAMP May 4, 1937..

Filed April 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "inw l Q milf Patented May 4, 1937 UNITED STATES j 2,079,0sof

PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to stamps, and is more particularly concerned with stamps of the selfinking type.

Briey, stamps of the type to which this invention pertains commonly comprise an inverted U-shaped main frame, the transverse portion of which is in the'form of an inverted cup having an ink pad secured therein. Secured to the upper surface of the transverse portion of the main frame is a piston or plunger which is adapted to carry a handle for the stamp, this handle having a second inverted U-shaped frame secured thereto. This latter frame has a stamping die rotatably mounted thereon, the die being disposed below the transverse portion of and between the legs of the main frame, and a compression spring confined within and between the piston and handle normally holds the stamping die in engagement with the ink pad. During a stamping operation, the handle and its associated frame and stamping die are moved downwardly against the action of the spring and, at the same time, suitable means connected between the stamping die and the legs of the main frame serve to rotate the stamping die through an arc of 180, thereby removing the stamping die from engagement with the ink pad and presenting its stamping face to the article to be stamped. Upon release of the handle, such handle, together with its associated frame and stamping die, is moved upwardly under action of the spring, the stamping die rotating through its previous path of 180, by reason of the means connected between the stamping die and the main frame, to

,j again present its stamping face to the ink pad,

to be re-inked.

Heretofore, in stamps of the above type, the rotation of the stamping die from the ink pad began substantially at the instant of initial downward movement of the handle and its associated frame. Likewise, the return rotation of the stamping die from the article being stamped began substantially at the instant of initial upward movement of the handle, under action of ,v the spring, when pressure was removed therefrom. The result was that there was a wiping action of the stamping die across the ink pad v in its movement therefrom and, likewise, a wiping action of the stamping die across the article g; being stamped, in its movement therefrom. Such wiping action of the stamping die across the ink pad and the article being stamped is objectionable,` for obvious reasons.

Broadly, one of the chief objects of the present 3g invention resides in providing a stamp of the character described, with means for rotating the stamping die in such manner that the objectionable feature of the wiping action of the stamping die with the ink pad and the article being stamped will be eliminated.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stamp of the character described, with a new and improved form ofl means connected between the stamping die and the main frame whereby, upon initial downward movement of the handle, the stamping die will be moved downwardly with a straight line motion from the ink pad. Upon further downward movement of the handle, such means will rotatev the stamping die completely through its arc of 180, and upon continued downward movement of the handle, the stamping die will be moved with a straight line downward movement from its last named position into engagement with the article to be stamped. Upon upward movement of the handle, such movements of the stamping die will be reversed, that is, the stamping die, upon initial upward movement of the handle under action of the spring, will move upwardly in a straight line from the article stamped, after which it will be rotated completely through its arc of 180, and then move into engagement with the ink pad, to be re-inked, by an upward straight line movement from its last named position.

Another broad object of the present invention resides in providing a stamp of the character described with means for cooperating with the stamping die thereof, and preferably bearing printing characters for stamping the date of reception or transmission ofletters, papers, and the like. Briefly, the bed plate of the stamp, which carries the stamping die, is provided with a pair of spaced anges or lugs depending from the under surface thereof. A dating assembly, preferably of the four-band type, is disposed between these lugs and has one end thereof projecting through a slot in the bed plateand the stamping die, and with the printing characters on the bands of the dating assembly normally disposed in the plane of the printing characters on the stamping die for cooperation therewith. A substantially U-shaped strap, passing around the opposite end of the dating assembly, partially seats in slots formed in the lugs and, at its free ends, this strap is connected with the mechanisrn connecting the bed plate with the handle of the stamp. Suitable means is provided between the dating assembly and the strap to permit of the dating assembly being adjusted relatively to the slot in the bed plate and the stamp- 30,' downward straight line movement and immedito receive an ink pad II,

ing die, whereby the dating assembly may be adjusted with respect to the stamping die so as to bring the printing characters on the dating assembly into. the plane of the printing characters on the stamping die, in case there is any uneven wear on the printing characters of these two members.

More specifically, therefore, another object of the present invention resides in providing means of simple and efcient construction for securing the dating assembly to a stamp embodying the principles hereinbefore described.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a simple and positive means for adjusting the dating assembly relative to the slot in the bed plate and stamping die whereby the printing characters on the stamping assembly may be caused to lie in the plane of the printing characters on the stamping die.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a stamp embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the stamp of Figure l, showing the position oi the stamping die upon the completion of its initial ately before the stamping die begins its rotative movement;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, and showing the stamping die at substantially the center of its rotative movement;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3, and showing the position of the stamping die immediately after the nish of its rotative movement and before it begins its nal downward straight line motion to engage the article to be stamped;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the lever mechanism connected between the stamping die and the main frame for rotating the stamping die during operation of the stamp;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the manner of securing adating assembly to the bed plate of the stamp;

Figure 7 is a front elevational View, with the dating assembly shown in section, showing the stamp of Figure 6 in a stamping position;

' Figure 8 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of the means for securing the dating assembly to the bed plate, this view being taken substantially along the lines 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the bed plate for the stamping die, showing the construction of and the manner of securing the lugs to the bed plate;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the strap for securing the dating assembly to the bed plate; and

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the dating assembly.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the stamp of the present invention comprises a main frame 5, which is preferably formed of any suitable metal and is of inverted U-shaped conguration. The legs 6 of the frame are preferably formed as shown and, at their free ends, are spaced apart and rigidly braced by metal rods 1. Transverse portion 8 of frame 5 is in the form of an inverted cup 9, this cup being adapted which may be formed in a known manner and be secured Within cup 9 by any suitable adhesive, or in any other suitable or preferred manner.

Substantially centrally thereof, transverse portion 8 of frame 5 is provided with a metal plunger or piston I2, having an internal bore I3. Piston I2 extends upwardly from transverse portion 8 of frame 5, to which it may be secured in any suitable or preferred manner and, at its free end, projects into a metal sleeve I4. This sleeve is substantially confined and preferably has a driving t within a handle I5, which handle may be formed of wood, or any other suitable or preferred material. At its lower end, sleeve I4 projects through an opening I6, formed substantially centrally of the transverse portion I1 of a second inverted U-shaped frame I8. This frame has its transverse portion I1 disposed in abutting engagement with the lower surface I9 of handle I5, and the portion of sleeve I4 which extends through opening IB of frame I8 is flanged over the under surface of transverse portion I1 of such frame, as indicated at 2I, thereby rigidly securing frame I8 to handle I5.

Transverse portion I1 of frame I8 extends parallel to and is disposed above transverse portion 3 of frame 5, while the legs 22 of frame I8 extend downwardly and into substantially abutting engagement with the outer surface of legs 6 of frame 5. Each of legs 22 of frame I8 are provided, at their free end, with an opening 23 for the reception of a metal rod 24. This rod, which has a head 25 formed on one end thereof, extends through openings 23 in legs 22 of frame I8, and through longitudinally extending slots 29 formed in each of legs 6 of frame 5. The end of rod 24, opposite that end having the head 25, is provided with an annular groove 21 for the reception of an annular snap spring 28. A washer 29, confined between spring 28 and leg 22 of frame I8, is slightly larger in diameter than opening 23 in legs 22 of frame I8 and, together with head 25 of rod 24, serves to secure rod 24 to legs 22 of frame I8 and to prevent transverse movement of said rod with respect to such legs.

Handle I5 and frame I8 are mounted upon piston I2 for 'vertical movement with respect thereto, and with respect to frame 5, and the longitudinal slots 26 in legs 6 of frame 5 are, therefore, made sufficiently long to permit of rod 24, which extends through such slots, to be moved vertically with frame I8. As shown, handle I5 and frame I8 are normally urged to their uppermost vertical position with respect to piston I2 and frame 5 by means of a spring 3I. This spring is an ordinary compression spring, and is entirely confined within sleeve I4 and bore I3 of piston I2. One end of the spring seats on the floor 32 of bore I3 of piston I2, and the opposite end of the spring abuts against the top portion 33 of sleeve I4. Preferably, spring 3I embraces a rod 34, which is suitably secured to and extends downwardly from the top portion 33 ofsleeve I4. This rod serves to keep spring 3I axially aligned with sleeve I4 and bore I3 of piston I2, and to prevent bowing of said spring. The extent oi upward movement of handle I5 and frame I8, with respect to piston i2 and frame 5, is limited by the die stamping mechanism, indicated generally at 36, which is carried by rod 24 and normally engages the ink pad II. It will be apparent that Yas the stamping mechanism 36 engages the ink pad II and is carried by rod 24, that such rod will be limited in its upward movement and, as rod 24 is carried by frame I8, and

of spring 3l, by reason of the engagement of` the stamping mechanism with the ink pad.

Stamping mechanism 36 comprises a bed plate in the form of a cup-shaped member 31, which 1s sllghtly smaller in. area than cup member 8 of frame 5, and is disposed between legs 6 of frame 5 and extends parallel to cup member 9 of such frame. This cup member 31 is adapted to receive a stamping die 38, the die being formed of rubber or any other suitable material, and secured within the cup member by a suitable adhesive, or in any other suitable or preferred manner. Any suitable indicia 38 may be carried by the stamping die, and this indicia normally engages the ink pad II to be inked thereby. At its transverse edges, cup member 31 is provided with downwardly extending flanges or legs 39, each of these legs preferably being formed as shown and provided with an upwardly extending slot 4I, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described. Rod 24, extending loosely through openings 42 formed in each of the legs of cup member 31, serves to rotatably mount said cup member thereon. As the cup member 31 and stamping die 38 are carried by the rod 24, they will also be moved vertically upon downward or upward movement of `handle I5 and frame I8. In addition to such vertical movement, cup member 31 and stamping die 38 are adapted to be rotated about rod 24 through an arc of by suitable mechanism which will now be described.

'I'he rotating mechanism for cup member 31 and stamping-die 38 comprises cam levers 43. One of these levers is pivoted at one of its ends to the inner surface of each of the legs 8 of frame 5, as by means of rivets 44. The pivotal point of connection of levers 43 with legs 8 of frame 5 is closely adjacent cup member 9 of such frame and substantially centrally of` the legs thereof, and the levers normally extend downwardly therefrom and parallel to said legs.` Each of the levers is preferably `formed as shown, one of the longitudinal edges of the lever being substantially straight and the other longitudinal edge of the lever being bowed outwardly, as indicated at 45. A slot 46 formed in each of the levers has substantially the same congurationas the bowed edge of the lever. That is, the slot has a straight upper track portion 41, a bowed central portion 48, and a straight lower track portion 49. Rod 24 extends through slots 48 in these levers and is adapted to be moved vertically therein. The edges 5| and 52 of the slots engage rod 24 and act as a camming surface for rotating the cup member 31 and stamping die 38 through. its rotative arc of 180 upon downward or upward movement of handle I5 and frame I8. A squared member or nut 53, pivotally secured at 54 to the bowed portion 48 of levers 43, engages in the Slot 4I formed in legs 39 of cup member 31. When rod 24 is in any position within the straight portions 41 and 49 of slots 46, this nut 53 prevents rotation of cup member 31 and stamping die 38, while when the rod 24 is engaging any portion of the bowed portion 48 of slot 46 the nut 53, under influence of the lever 43, will serve to rotate cup member 3'I `and stamping die 38 about such rod, in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when the stamp isin its normal position, the stamping die 38 will be in engagement with the ink pad II, and the cup member 31, rod 24, and

, of the cup member 31.

frame I8, connecting thestamping die 38 with handle i5, as well as the handle, will be in their uppermost vertical position with respect to frame 5. At this time rod 24 will also be in engagement with the upper end of slot 46 in lever 43, and the squared nut 53 will be disposed closely adjacent the open edge of slot 4l in legs 39 When it is desired to stamp an article, the handle i5 is merely moved downwardly against the action of spring 3l, thereby rotating the stamping die into engagement with the article to be stamped, after which, by removing the pressure from the handle, the spring will serve to return the stamping die into engagement with the ink pad to be re-inked. During the initial downward movement of the handle, frame I8 moves rod 24 downwardly in slots 25 of frame 5 and downwardly within the straight portion 41 of slots 46 in levers 43 until rod 24 engages the bowed portion 48 of slots 48 of such levers. During this movement of rod 34, such rod also moves cup member 31 downwardly with respect to frame 5, thereby moving legs 39 downwardly with respect to squared nut 53, the marginal edges of slots 4I of said legs engaging said nut and having translational movement with respect thereto until such time as rod 24 engages bowed portion 48 of slots 45 in levers 43, at which time nuts 53 will be positioned substantially midway between the ends of slots 4I and the parts of the stamp will be in the relative positions shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. It will be noted that as the rod 24 is engaged in slots 28 of frame 5 and moving in the straight portion 41 of slots 46 of levers 43, that such levers will be held rigid with respect to their pivot point 44 and, as the nut 53 is engaged in slot 4I of legs 39 of the cup member 31, that such cup member and the stamping die 38 cannot be ro-` tated, but can only be moved downwardly away from inl; pad I l by a straight line motion, thereby preventing stamping die 38 from being wiped across the pad.

Upon continued downward movement of the stamp handle I5, rod 24 will strike the bowed portion 48 of slots 48 of the levers and, as the rod 24 is compelled to move in a straight vertical line by reason of its engagement in slots 28 of frame 5, levers 43 will be swung to the right,

as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, thereby revolving nut 53, which is now snugly engaged in the upper portion of slot 4I of legs 39 of the cup member, which nut in turn revolves the cup member 31 and stamping die 38 about rod 24. When rod 24 is at substantially the center of bowed portion 48 of slots 48, the relative position of the parts of the stamp will be in substantially the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. T'he stamping die will have completed approximately half of its arc and the lever will have swung to approximately its extreme position to the right. Further downward movement of handle I5 will then cause levers 43 to return to their original positions, for the reasons previously set out, thereby causing nut 53 to complete its rotation of cup member 31 and stamping die 38 about rod 24. When rod 24 reaches the straight portion 49 of slots 46, levers 43 will have returned to their original position, the cup member 31 and stamping die 38 will have been completely turned through its arc of 180, to present its face to the article to be stamped, and nut 53 `will now be again disposed substantially mid-waybetween the ends of slots 4I in legs 39. The relative position of the parts of the stamp will then be as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. Still further downward movement of stamp handle I5 will cause rod 24 to move downwardly in straight portion 49 of slots 46, and the cup member 31 and stamping die 38 will also be caused to move downwardly in a straight line, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 4, of the drawings, for the same reasons that cup member 31 and stamping die 38 were forced to move downwardly in a straight line when rod 24 was engaged in straight portion 41 of slots 46. When pressure is released from handle I5, action of spring 3| will cause cup member 31 and stamping die 38 to move upwardly in a straight line from the article which .has just been stamped by reason of rod 24 engaging in straight portion 49 of slots 46. As the rod 24 passes around the bowed portion 48 of slots 46, the stamping die 38 will be rotated about rod 24 to again present its face to the ink pad I I, and when rod 24 again engages in straight portion 41 of slots 46, the stamping die will be moved upwardly in a straight line motion to again engage the ink pad to be re-inked.

It will appear from the foregoing, therefore, that the stamping die will have a straight line motion both toward and from the ink pad and, likewise, will have a straight line motion toward and from the article to be stamped. There will, therefore, be no wiping action of the stamping die across either the ink pad or the article to be stamped. Further, it will be noted that by reason of the employment of squared members or nuts 53, the amount of wear upon pins 54 will be reduced and smooth and uniform movement of the die plate may be had over a period of time not heretofore possible. That is to say, that by reason of nuts 53 engaging in slots 4| of the legs 39, the marginal edges of said slots bear upon and have translational movement with respect to nuts 53, when rod 24 is operating in the straight portions of the slots 26 in cam levers 43, and consequently the wear from such translational movement of legs 39 will be imposed directly upon nuts 53. There will be no wear upon pins 54 by reason of the translational movement of legs 39. The pin will be subjected to wear only by the rotational movement of the nut thereon. Consequently, wear occasioned by movements of the die plate will be imposed upon two elements, instead of one, as heretofore.

Figures 6 and '7 show the stamp of Figure 1 provided with a dating assembly, the printing characters 56 of which are adapted to cooperate with the printing characters 38 of the stamping die 38. This stamp is constructed and operates in the same manner as the stamp of Figure 1, the only difference being that in the stamp shown in Figures 6 and 7 the cup member 31 and stamping die 38 have each been provided with a longitudinally extending slot 51. Also, cup member 31 has been provided with an additional pair of downwardly extending ilanges or legs 58. As best shown in Figure 9, these legs 58 are similar in appearance to the legs 39 and are disposed on cup member 31 inwardly of legs 39 and closely adjacent the opposite ends of slot 51. The legs 58 are secured to cup member 31 as by means of pins or rivets 59 and are each provided with a slot 6U, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

The dating assembly, designated generally by vthe reference character 62, is adapted to be disposed between legs 58 and to have a sliding iit with respect thereto. This dating assembly comprises an inverted substantially U-shaped frame 63 which may be formed of any suitable material, and the arms 64 of which are notched as indicated at 65 to provide for the reception of a metal bar 66. This metal bar 66 has a snug fit in notches 65 and forms a bed plate for the dating bands 61. These dating bands are preferably formed of rubberized fabric, or any other suitable material, and are preferably four in number, althrough a greater or less number of bans may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These bands have the small rubber printing characters 56 secured thereto, the printing characters on one of the bands being in the form of abbreviations of the several months of the year. Two of the bands carry the cardinal numerals by which the various combinations of the days of the month may be obtained, and the other bands carry printing characters forming the successive years, as, for example, from 1935 to 1940, together with any other printing characters desired. These bands are endless bands, and are disposed between the arms 64 of frame 63. At their lower ends, the bands pass over the metal bar 66, and at their upper ends they pass over hubs 68 which are rigidly secured to operating wheels 69. wheels are relatively large compared to the hubs 68, and have their outer peripheries serrated, as indicated at 10, to provide a gripping surface which may readily be grasped by the fingers to rotate the wheels. The wheels are each rotataably mounted upon a shaft 1I, this shaft being secured at its opposite ends in the arms 64. The

bands are stretched tightly between the bar 66' and the hubs 68 of operating wheels 69 and have a friction t with the hubs 68, so that upon operation of the wheels 69 the bands will be caused to pass around the bar 66.

The dating assembly is secured to the bed plate 31 and adjustably mounted for vertical movement with respect to legs 58 by means which will now be described.

This mounting means comprises a substantially U-shaped strap, designated generally by the reference character 13, which may be formed of any suitable metal. The legs 14 of this strap are reduced in width, as indicated at 15, to form shoulders 16, and this reduced portion 15 is reversely curved outwardly, as indicated at 11, to provide an offset arm 18. The dating assembly,

as previously stated, is disposed between the legs 58 of bed plate 31, and the printing characters 56 on the dating assembly project through the slot 51 in bed plate 31 and stamping die 38 and normally lie in the plane of the printing characters 38 of the stamping die. Transverse portion 19 of strap 13 is adapted to be disposed over the transverse portion 8D of the dating assembly frame 63, the reduced portion 15 of said strap engaging in the slots 60 in legs 58 of bed plate 31, and the offset arm 18 extending along the outer` side of legs 58. Movement of strap 13 toward bed plate 31, or any swinging movement of strap 13 with respect to legs 58, is restrained by shoulders 16 and the reversely curved portion 11 of said strap abutting the outer edges 8I of legs 58 and the transverse portion 82 of slots 60, respectively. Rod 24, passing through an opening 83 in each of the legs 14 of strap 13 and through an elongated opening 84 Vin the arms 64 of the dating assembly 63, serves to limit out- These operating ward movement of said strap and dating assembly with respect to the bed plate. By reason of the foregoing construction, the strap 13 is rigidly held against movement toward o' away from the bed plate 31. Due to rod 24, however, passing through the elongated opening 84 in the arms 64 of dating assembly 63, such dating assembly will have a limited vertical movement with respect to bed plate `31, and to the slot 51 in the bed plate and stamping die 3B. To control the vertical movement of the dating assembly, transverse portion 19 of strap 13 is provided with a collar 86, which may be formed of any suitable metal, and is secured to said strap as by swedg-v ing, or in any other preferred or suitable manner. This collar is internally threaded to cooperate Withexternal threads formed on a bolt 81 which is rotatably secured at one end to the transverse portion 8|] of dating assembly 63 in any suitable or preferred manner. An operating knob 88 is secured to bolt 81 and abuts the under surface of transverse portion 80 of frame 63. This knob is preferably knurled, as indicated at 89, to facilitate grasping thereof by the fingers. As dating assembly 63 is secured to bolt 81, rotation of knob 88 will cause the dating assembly to be projected or withdrawn from slot 51 in the bed plate 31 and stamping die 38. If any unevenness in wear occurs between the printing characters on the dating assembly and the printing characters on the stamping die, the dating assembly can, therefore, be adjusted to bring the printing characters on such dating assembly into the plane ofthe printing characters on the stamping die.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described by way of example, it will be obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the invention and, therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the forms herein disclosed, except insofar as it may be so limited in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A stamp of the class described comprising an ink pad, a bed plate, a stamping die carried by said bed plate and cooperating with said ink pad, means associated with said ink pad and said bed plate for moving said bed plate and stamping die into and out of engagement with said ink pad, a dating assembly, a strap securing said dating assembly to said bed plate, a threaded collar rigidly secured to said strap, and a rotatable bolt carried by said dating assembly and cooperating with said collar for moving said dating assembly relative to said bed plate and stamping die.

2. A stamp of the class described comprising an ink pad, a bed plate, a stamping die carried by said bed plate and cooperating with said ink pad, means associated with said ink pad and said bed plate for moving said bed plate and stamping die into and out of engagement with said ink pad, a pair of legs associated with said bed plate, a dating assembly, a strap associated with said dating assembly and said legs for securing said dating assembly to said bed plate, and means associated with said strap and said dating assembly for moving said dating assembly relative to said bed plate and stamping die.

3. A stamp of the class described comprising an ink pad, a bed plate, a stamping die carried by said bed plate and cooperating with said ink pad, means associated with said ink pad and said bed plate for moving said bed plate and stamping die into and out of engagement with y said ink pad, a pair of legs associated with said bed plate, a dating assembly, a strap associated with said dating assembly and said legs for securing said dating assembly to said bed plate, cooperating means on said strap and said legs for limiting the movement of said strap in any direction with respect to said legs, and means associated with said strap and said dating assembly for moving said dating assembly relative to said bed plate and said stamping die.

4. A stamp of the class described comprising an ink pad, a bed plate, a stamping die carried by saidbed plate and cooperating with said ink pad, means associated with said ink pad and said bed plate for moving said bed plate and said .stamping dieinto and out of engagement with said ink pad, a pair of legs associated With said bed plate, each of said legs having a slot therein, aA dating assembly, a strap associated with said dating assembly and said legs, said strap securing said dating assembly to said bed plate and being arranged to partially engage in the slots in said legs for limiting the movement of said strap with respect to said legs, and means associated with said strap and said dating assembly for moving said dating assembly relative to said bed plate and said stamping die.

5. In a hand stamp, the combination with a main frame, a shaft, a die plate mounted upon said shaft, and operating means associated with said main frame and said shaft for moving said die plate relatively to said frame, of means rotating said die plate about said shaft during the movement of said die plate relative to said frame comprising cam levers pivoted at one end to said frame and movable laterally thereof` by said shaft upon operation of the operating means, members pivoted upon said levers, and means connecting said members with said die plate, whereby lateral movement of said levers will cause joint pivotal movement of said members and said die plate.

6. In a hand stamp, the combination with a main frame, a shaft, a die plate mounted upon said shaft, legs on said die plate having slots therein, and operating means associated with said main frame and said shaft for moving said die plate relatively to said frame, of means rotating said die plate about said shaft during the movement of said die plate relative to said frame comprising cam levers pivoted at one end to said frame and movable laterally thereof by said shaft upon operation of the operating means, and members pivoted upon said levers and engaging in the slots in said legs, said legs having translational movement with respect to said members during a portion of the movement of said die plate, and said members having joint pivotal vmovement with said legs and said die plate upon lateral movement of said cam levers during another portion of the movement of said die plate relative to the frame.

'7. In a hand stamp, the combination with a main frame, a shaft, a die plate mounted upon said shaft, legs on said die plate having slots therein, and operating means associated with said main frame and said shaft for moving said die plate relatively to said frame, of means rotating said die plate about said shaft during the movement of said die plate relative to said frame comprising cam levers having a slot composed of two straight portions and an arcuate portion connecting thestraight portions, said shaft having translational movement in the straight portions of said slot and being adapted to move said levers laterally of said frame upon engagement with the arcuate portions of the slot, and a nut pivoted upon each of said cam levers and engaging in the slots in said legs, said legs having translational movement with respect to said nuts when the shaft is moving in the straight portions of the slots in said cam levers, and said nuts having joint pivotal movement with said legs and said die plate when the shaft is engag ing the arcuate portion of the slot in said cam levers and moving the cam levers laterally of said frame.

8. In a hand stamp, the combination with a main frame, a shaft, a die plate mounted upon said shaft, legs on said die plate having slots therein, and operating means associated with said main frame and said shaft for moving said die plate relatively to said frame, of means rotating said die plate about said shaft during the movement of said die plate relative to said frame comprising cam levers having a slot composed of two straight portions and an arcuate portion connecting the straight portions, said shaft having translational movement in the straight portions of said slot and being adapted to move said levers laterally of said frame upon engagement with the arcuate portions of the slot, a pin carried by each of said cam levers, a square nut pvoted upon each of said pins and engaging in the slots in said legs, said legs having translational movement with respect to said nuts when said shaft is moving in the straight portions of the slots in said cam levers, and said nuts having joint pivotal movement with said legs and said die plate about said pins when the shaft is engaging the arcuate portions of the slot in said cam levers and moving the cam levers laterally of said frame.

LOUIS MELIND. 

